Worcester Police Officers Honored For Bravery At MA Ceremony

WORCESTER, MA — Four Worcester police officers received the Medal of Valor on Wednesday evening.

Sgt. Michael Spalatro and Officers Duy Chau, Jose Lugo-Gardner and Daniel Dyson were honored at the 42nd annual George L. Hanna Memorial Awards for Bravery. The four men were recognized for their efforts in dangerous situations that have happened in the city in recent years.

The Hanna Awards, presented by Gov. Maura Healey, are given to law enforcement members who put their lives on the line to ensure the safety of the people in Massachusetts. The awards are in honor of Trooper George L. Hanna, who died in service in 1983.

Hanna's two daughters were at the ceremony on Wednesday.

Officers Chau, Lugo-Gardner, and Spalatro were recognized for their response to a dangerous incident on Colby Avenue in July 2023, according to police. The three were called in after Caleb Boateng shot his relatives and also fired at the officers. After several hours, they were able to arrest Boateng, police said.

Officer Daniel Dyson, who is a member of WPD's Crime Scene Unit, was recognized for his bravery during an incident in October 2024, when he was called to process the scene of a shooting death on Heroult Road, police said.

Worcester police said that when Officer Dyson arrived, the suspect, identified as Felix J. Rivera, according to the Telegram and Gazette, was on foot, with a gun in his hand, and trying to open the car doors with innocent people inside. Rivera shot at Officer Dyson, who returned fire while taking cover. Rivera then took his own life, according to WPD.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, dial 988 for the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

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